Remote control system



Dec. 18, 1934.

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ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Application May 12, 1932, Serial No. 610,825

This invention relates to a device for the remote control and operation of a mechanism whose motion is rotational.

More specifically thel invention relates to a device for tuning a radio receiver from a remote point.

The object of the invention is to provide means for tuning a' radio set from a distant point by means of electromagnets located at the receiv- 0 ing set connected a rotating element at the distant point.

Another feature of the invention is that means independent of the controlling device is provided to indicate the position of the controlled element at the remote point.

In accordance with this invention, a segmental commutator disc located at the remote point is provided with brushes for simultaneously generating two series of overlapping impulses as the disc is rotated. These two series of overlapping impulses are generated so that the individual impulses of one of said series begin before the individual impulses of the other series terminate and are preferably generated in phase quadrature and have a phase rotation which is dependent upon the direction of rotation of the segmented disc. Two electromagnets are provided at the receiver for rotating the tuning element. One of these magnets, when energized, engages an iron disc on the tuning shaft, while the other magnet rotates this first magnet through a small angle. Each magnet is actuated by the impulses of one of the series of said impulses so that the tuning shaft of the radio receiver will be rotated in accordance with the rotation of the segmented commutator disc.

Mounted either upon the main shaft or on the shaft to be rotated is a variable contact of a potentiometer which is connected to a second potentiometer and meter located at the remote point so as to form a Wheatstone bridge. When the variable contact of the potentiometer at the remote point is adjusted `,so that no current passes through the meter, its position will indicate the position of the main shaft or the control shaft at the receiver.

The invention may be more fulLv andfcompletely understood by reference to the attached drawing which illustrates in diagrammatic form one embodiment of `the invention.

'At the remote point a segmented commutator disc 1 is provided'having insulated segments 3 and conducting segments 2 spaced aroundits` periphery. A crank 4 is attached to disc 1 for the purpose of rotating it in either direction.

The feed brush 5 and the impulse brushes 6 and '1 are provided to generate two series of impulses as disc 1 is rotated.

At the receiver the tuning shaft 8 controls the tuning elements of the receiver-which are illustrated by a portion of a variable condenser having a rotary plate 29 mounted on shaft 8 and stationary plates 28 associated therewith. Shaft 8 is supported by bearings 9 and 10. Mounted on shaft 8 is an iron disc 11 which is free to slide along the shaft axially, but is prevented from rotating on the shaft by pin 12 which slides in keyway 13. The electromagnetic clutch include:J electromagnet 14 and armature disc ll mounted on shaft 8. 'I'he electromagnet 14 will attract and engage the iron disc 1l when it is energized. Restoring spring 15 is provided between bearing 9 and disc 11 to disengage disc 1l from electromagnet 14 when the electromagnet is deenergized. The electromagnetic clutch is supported on the base 31 by means of bearing 30 so that it is free to rotate about shaft 8; The armature 1'? of electromagnet 16 vis attached to the electromagnetic clutch so that the clutch will be' rotated through a small angle each time the electromagnet 16 is energized. Spring 18 is attached to armature 17 and a fixed support (not shown) to return armature 17 and the electromagnetic clutch to their normal positions when electromagnet 16 is deenergized. The screw stop 19 is provided 4to adjust the armature travel of armature 17 and thereby adjust the angle through which shaft 8 and disc 11 are rotated for each cycle of operation of the electromagnet 14 and the electromagnet 16.

Assuming disc 1 to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, brush '7 will make contact with a conducting segment first and complete a circuit for current from battery A through brush 5, disc l, brush 7, the winding of the electromagneticrclutch to the opposite terminal of battery A. 'Ihis current will energize the electromagnet 14 which will attract and engage iron disc 1l. Then brush 6 will make contact with a kconductingsegment of disc 1 and complete a similar circuit forV current through the winding of the electromagnet 16, *which energizes this magnet. The amature l'l will then be attracted and rotate the electromagnetic clutch and shaft 8 in a counter-clockwise direction. Further rotation of disc 1 'will cause brush 7 to break contact with the conducting segment and interrupt the current owing through the winding of the electromagnetic clutch. Spring 15 will then disengage the iron disc 11 and the electromagnet 14 of the electromagnetic clutch. Then brush 6 will break contact with the conducting segment which will interrupt the current in the winding of the electromagnet 16 and allow its amature 17 and the electromagnetic clutch to return to their normal conditions under the control of the spring 18. Since, however, electromagnet 14 is deenergized at this time the shaft 8 and disc 11 do not return with it. As each of the conducting segments pass brushes 6 and 7 they generate overlapping impulses which are preferably in phase quadrature so that the above described functions are repeated, rotating shaft 8 in a counter-clockwise direction.

1f disc 1 is rotated in a clockwise direction, brush 6 will make contact with the conducting segment first and energize magnet 16. This will rotate electromagnet 14 but not disc 11 and shaft 8 since electromagnet 14 will be deenergized at this time. Then brush 7 will make contact with the conducting segment and energized magnet 14 will attract and engage disc 11. Continued rotation will cause brush- 6 to break contact with the conducting segment, thus deenergizing magnet 16 and allowing spring 18 to return its armature to normal. This rotates electromagnet 14, disc 11 and shaft 8 in a clockwise direction. 'Ihen when brush 7 breaks contact with the conducting segment the electromagnet 14 is deenergized and disc 11 disengaged.

Thus shaft 8 is rotated in the same direction as disc 1 is rotated and it is obvious that the number of segments on disc 1 andthe armature travel and length of armature 17 determine the relative rates of rotation of disc 1 and shaft 8. It is also possible to couple the tuning elements indirectly to shaft 8 instead of directly as shown.

In order to indicate the position of the tuning elements at the remote point potentiometer 20 is provided at the receiving set having its variable contact arm 21 supported from ring 22 which fits over the insulated sleeve 32 mounted on a tuning shaft 8. Brush 23 makes contact with ring 22 for connecting the variable contact 21 of potentiometer 20 to the variable contact 25 of potentiometer 24 which is connected to potentiometer 20 and located at the remote point. An indicating device 27 such as a meter and located at the remote point is connected between the two variable contacts 21 and 25 so thatif they make contact with similar portions oi their respective resistances no current will flow in the meter. Thus, by adjusting the contact 25 of the potentiometer 24 until the meter indicates no current, the position of the tuning shaft will be determined by noting the position of, contact 25 on scale 26. Or if desired. contact 25 may be xed and the meter calibrated to read the position of the tuning element directly.

It should be noted that the indicating elements are entirely independent of the tuning element so that they will give a true indication of the position of the tuning elements, irrespective of the control device. Also the tuning may be accomplished at the set and these indicating' elements still indicate the position of the tuning elements at the remote point.

While the above description describes one em bodlment of the invention, it is to b e understood that. there may be many modifications ofthe apparatus described without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A remote control system comprising a rotatable element, an impulse generator associated therewith which includes means for simultaneously generating two series of impulses in phase quadrature, an electromagnetic clutch, a rotatable shaft engageable therewith, electromagnetic means for rotating said electromagnetic clutch, through an angle, means for connecting said impulse generator with said electromagnetic clutch and for energizing said clutch by one of said series of impulses, and other means for connecting said impulse generator and said electromagnetic means and for energizing said electromagnetic means by the other of said series of impulses whereby said rotatable shaft is rotated by said electromagnetic means through said electromagnetic clutch in response to the impulses of said impulse generator.

2. In a remote control system comprising a segmented commutator disc located at a remote point, means for rotating said disc, brushes associated with said segmented disc for generating two series of impulses, an electromagnetic clutch adapted to engage a rotatable shaft, an electromagnet for rotating said electromagnetic clutch through an angle, and means for interconnecting said brushes and electromagnetic clutch and electromagnet so that said shaft is rotated in either direction in accordance with the rotation of said segmented commutator disc.

3. Means for tuning a radio receiver from a remote point comprising a rotatable segmented commutator disc, brushes associated therewith, two electromagnets connected to said brushes, means associated with one of said electromagnets, for rotating the other of said electromagnets through a small angle, a shaft, an iron disc mounted thereon and engageable by said other electromagnet and means for successively energizing said electromagnets as said commutator disc is rotated whereby said shaft is rotated in accordance with the rotation of said commutator disc at the remote point.

4. Means for tuning a radio receiver from a distant point comprising a rotatable segmented disc, brushes associated therewith for generating two series of impulses, the phase relationship of which depends upon the direction of rotation of said disc, two electromagnets connected to said brushes, a rotatable shaft having an iron disc attached thereto which is in engageable relationship with one of said electromagnets, means vassociated with thel other of said magnets for rotating the rst mentioned of said magnets through a small angle and means for energizing said electromagnets by the impulses generated as said disc is rotatedwhereby Asaid rotatable shaft is rotated in either direction by said electromagnets in accordance with'the impulses generated by said segmented disc l.

5.In al remote control system comprising a 'segmented commutator disc located at a remote point, vmieans for rotating said disc, brushes associated with said segmented disc for simultaneously generating twoy series of overlappina impulses in which the individual impulsesI of one series `start before the vindividual impulses of the other series stop, an electromagnetic clutch adapted to engage a'rotatable shaft connected toone of said brushes. an electromagnet for rotatingsaid electromagnetic .clutch through a small angle connected to another vlof said brushes. and means for energizing said electromagnet. electromagnetic clutch, and commutator disc so that said electromagnetic clutch responds to one series of said impulses and said electromagnet to the other series of said impulses whereby said shaft is rotated in either direction in accordance with the rotation of said segmented disc.

6. A remote control system comprising a rotatable element, an impulse generator mechanically connected thereto for generating two series of overlapping impulses, an electromagnetic clutch, a rotatable shaft engageable therewith, means including an electromagnet for oscillating said electromagnetic clutch through a small angle about said shaft, and means interconnecting said impulse generator, said electromagnetic clutch and said electromagnet whereby said electromagnetic clutch is energized by one series of said overlapping impulses and said electromagnetic means is energized by the other series of said impulses.

7. Means for controlling apparatus from a remote point comprising a rotatable segmented commutator disc located at the remote point, brushes associated therewith, two electromagnets connected to said brushes and located at said apparatus, a rotatable shaft for controlling said apparatus, an iron disc mounted thereon which is engageable by one of said electromagnets, -and means including said second electromagnet for oscillating said rst electromagnet through a small angle about said shaft, and means for successively energizing said electromagnets as said commutator disc is rotated whereby said shaft is rotated in accordance with the rotation of said commutator disc-at the remote point.

WALTER W. ASHWORTH. 

